Shows
The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | September 18, 2025In Hour 1,DFA President David Westwood joins Dan to give an update on the Dalhousie University new labour agreement. NSGEU President Sandra Mullen, discusses the new collective agreement. With more Canadian companies enforcing stricter return-to-office mandates, Sarah Bramley, Senior Vice President of Workplace Advisory at Colliers Canada, answers the questions, are workplaces supporting productivity? Dalhousie Student Union President Maren Mealey discusses the new labour agreement with the Dalhousie Faculty Association.In Hour 2,Dan takes your calls during the Open Hour.In Hour 3, Aimee Gasparetto, executive director of Nourish Nova Scotia, discusses Nova Scotia's expanded school lunch program that includes a...
2025-09-182h 04The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | August 11, 2025In Hour 1, Nancy Hartling, District 13- Prospect Road - St. Margarets and Laura White, District 7- Halifax South Downtown joins Todd for Councillors on the Hot Seat! In Hour 2, Todd takes your calls during the Open Hour. In Hour 3, NSGEU President Sandra Mullen shares how Nova Scotia Health is boosting security measures with AI metal detectors. Scott Tingley, manager of forest protection for the Natural Resources Department on the burn restrictions, fines and the increased risk of wildfires throughout the province, discusses the Ban on Entering Wooded Areas. Todd Burgess, executive director of Forest Nova Scotia, discusses the Forest Ba...
2025-08-112h 07The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | July 10, 2025Hour 1 Todd starts the program with a look at the offshore gas industry in Nova Scotia. He then chats with the President of MADD Canada about the dismissal of a drunk driving charge that was levelled against a star junior hockey player. Today then explores return to work programs with the chair of Chartered Professionals in Human Resources Canada and a look at the possibility of repealing EV mandates in Canada. In Hour 2 is the Open Hour! Todd takes your calls. In Hour 3, Todd kicks off the hour talking about criticism levelled at the government over pandemic programing. Todd also...
2025-07-102h 10The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | June 2nd, 2025In Hour 1, Kevin Russell of Rental Housing Providers of Nova Scotia shares how two apartment buildings in Halifax's north end, with more than 120 units between them, are being converted into condominiums as property owners say it has become too expensive to run the buildings as rentals. Wayne MacKay, law professor emeritus at Dalhousie University, discusses the cyber breach at Nova Scotia Power and whether there could be any legal action. Michael Kabalen, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Association of Nova Scotia, shares the latest point-in-time count report, titled "Everyone Counts in HRM," which reveals critical insights into homelessness...
2025-06-022h 04The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | May 12, 2025In Hour 1, David Hendsbee, District 2- Lawrencetown - The Lakes - Chezzetcook - Eastern Shore and Janet Steele, District 12- Timberlea - Beechville - Clayton Park - Wedgewood, join Todd for Councillors on the Hot Seat. In Hour 2, Todd opens the phones for the Open Hour. In Hour 3, Moshe Lander, an economist from Montreal's Concordia University, discusses how the U.S. and China reached a deal to slash tariffs for 90 days. NSGEU President Sandra Mullen discusses the helicopter pilot shortage amid wildfire season. Dr. Penny Richards, the Nova Scotia representative of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, shares how the N...
2025-05-121h 55The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | April 16, 2025In Hour 1, Gary MacLeod, Chair of Advocates for the Care of the Elderly The ACE Team and Bonnie Sherman, ACE Team and a retired nurse, join Todd to share their concerns about the rate of antipsychotic prescription by physicians in Nova Scotia's Long Term Care Facilities have reached an alarming level. Jaclyn Sullivan, Atlantic Director at Hope Air, shares how their charity provides free travel and accommodations for Canadians in financial need who must access medical care far from home. Larry Hughes, a Dalhousie University engineering professor whose expertise includes energy systems and climate change, says the tax has be...
2025-04-162h 04The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | March 26, 2025In Hour 1, Politics chat with UPEI Political Science professor Don Desserud. Laura Mackenzie, Executive Director of Screen Nova Scotia, shares how Screen Nova Scotia purchased a soundstage facility to help grow the province's "thriving" film industry. Barret Kurylyk, an engineering professor at Dalhousie University, discusses how climate change means even 'very, very wet' Nova Scotia feels drought. Peter Day, head of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, shares how many of his members are upset that flags representing Mi'kmaq, African Nova Scotian, LGBTQ+ and other communities were ordered to be taken down. Hugh Gillis, First 1st Vice President of NSGEU, call...
2025-03-262h 06The Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | March 20, 2025In Hour 1, Peter McInnis, president of the Canadian Association of University Teachers, shares how professors and students say the Nova Scotia university bill, which gives the government more control over the province's 10 universities, is a case of overreach that could threaten academic freedoms. Politics chat with political science professor Lori Turnbull at Dalhousie University. Dr. Laurette Geldenhuys, a Halifax-based physician and member of the Nova Scotia arm of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, says a Nova Scotia government bill that would allow fracking for fossil fuels and exploration for uranium is dangerous and should be scrapped. NS...
2025-03-202h 09
RadioLabourCanadaDon't hit, don't kill women.The Nova Scotia Government General Employees Union has reacted to a rise of domestic and intimate partner violence in the province with a campaign called 'Turn The Tide.' An interview with NSGEU president Sandra Mullen. The LabourStart Report about union events. And singing: "I'm Not Your Punching Bag." RadioLabour is the international labour movement’s radio service. It reports on labour union events around the world with a focus on unions in the developing world. It partners with rabble to provide coverage of news of interest to Canadian workers.
2025-03-1420 min
This is Nova ScotiaSome civil servants face uncertain futureNSGEU presdent Sandra Mullen tells us about government efforts to take Communications Nova Scotia employees out of the union, and new legislation that says they could be fired at any time, without cause.
2025-02-2608 minThe Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | February 12, 2025In Hour 1, Andrew Tanner, president of the Craft Brewers Association of Nova Scotia, discusses how the Trump tariff talk boosts Nova Scotia's craft beer business. Kurt Sampson, Zero Emission Vehicle Advocate at CAA Atlantic, shares how the Canadian Automobile Association conducted the ultimate stress test in a real-world winter EV performance study. NSGEU President Sandra Mullen discusses the Government funding private mental health care. Authors Darril Fosty and George Fosty share their book "Black Ice The Lost History of the Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes". In Hour 2, Dr. John Gillis is back for House Calls. In Hour 3, Todd open...
2025-02-122h 09
NSGEU Union MattersCorrections Classification Grievance Update January 2025This podcast is an explainer and an update for a classification grievance filed by the NSGEU on behalf of Correctional Officers. Garnet Estabrooks, Umbrella President and Bretton Currie, President of Local 480C interview Andrea Hancock, President of Local 480H on the progress of the grievance to date.
2025-01-1517 minNSGEU Union MattersMeet Local 480 Leaders in CorrectionsMeet members and leaders of Local 480, Provincial Corrections - as they discuss why they got involved in the union and what the main issues they face as workers in this sector are. Garnet Estabrooks, Local 480 Umbrella President (all the Sublocals); Andrea Hancock, President of Local 480 F, Annette Guthro President of Local 480A, David Outhouse, President of Local 480I, Bretton Currie, President of Local 480C.
2025-01-1210 minThe Todd Veinotte ShowThe Todd Veinotte Show | December 9, 2024In Hour 1, David Hendsbee, District 2- Lawrencetown - The Lakes - Chezzetcook - Eastern Shore and Nancy Hartling, District 13- Prospect Road - St. Margarets join Todd for Councillors on the Hot Seat. In Hour 2, Todd takes your calls during the Open Hour. In Hour 3, Chris Di Liberatore, PSAC Atlantic's Regional Executive Vice-President, shares how the largest federal union calls for the Liberal government to be held accountable for a pension attack on federal workers. Sandra Mullen, NSGEU President, discusses how a group of unionized Nova Scotia jail guards marched in driving rain Thursday to draw attention to what t...
2024-12-092h 09
NSGEU Union MattersCelebrating Allied Healthcare Professionals Week with Physician Assistant, Stephanie ConwayLocal 100 President, Laura MacMillan, interviews Stephanie Conway about their role as a Physician's Assistant at the Nova Scotia Health Authority during Allied Healthcare Professionals Week 2023.
2023-11-0707 minNSGEU Union MattersInterview with Shariff Azher, Orthopaedic Technologist, Allied Healthcare Recognition Week 2023In this episode, Laura MacMillan, President of Local 100, introduces us to Shariff Azher, an Orthopaedic Technologist who works at the Dartmouth General. We learn about his education, his work, and what brought him from Ontario to Nova Scotia. Thank you Shariff, for your work and your dedication to improving the lives of Nova Scotians. We appreciate you!
2023-11-0110 min
Thinking Out Loud with Sheldon MacLeodER Nurses plead for changes nowImagine being at your job where someone is making twice as much money for the same job. And you can’t take vacation because there aren’t enough staff members. That’s what’s happening in our health care system right now with travel nurses and nursing agencies. That has prompted front line Emergency Department nurses to write a letter, pleading for action from the Premier, Health Minister and CEO of Nova Scotia Health. Hugh Gillis is the 1st VP of NSGEU representing health care workers. And although he’s speaking out, he says this is coming from the people on the fro...
2023-02-0714 min
NSGEU Union MattersAlliedHCWeek2022 - Suhil Abu - Zaid, Medical Laboratory TechnologistIn honour of Allied Healthcare Week, Board member and Health Care Worker, Laura MacMillan, interviews Suhil Abu-Zaid who works as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at the Mackenzie Building in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They discuss the requirements for the job, what the work is like and why he loves it. Thank you Suhil for all you do!
2022-11-0523 min
SaltWire TodaySaltWire Today - Thursday, November 3rd 2022Emergency departments across Nova Scotia seeing influx in patients amid RSV seasonNSGEU strike outside Nova Scotia Legislature, calling for fair wagesUpcycling: Halifax immigrant, entrepreneur turns old newspapers into green-chic bagsCoast guard lifeboat based in Guysborough County handles hurricane-force winds and morePrices at the Pumps
2022-11-0312 min
Thinking Out Loud with Sheldon MacLeodUnions and fixing health careUnion leadership say there's been a huge change in the way the Progressive Conservative government is been dealing with labour groups. And when Tim Houston announced a significant wage hike for Personal Care Workers, he stirred optimism in other health care sectors. But there's still work to be done. A recent agreement was reached with support services represented by three different unions including Unifor, NSGEU and CUPE. It still needs to be ratified by the members, but labour leaders are recommending acceptance. Sandra Mullen has recently taken over as the President of NSGEU. She explains where labour relations are in...
2022-08-2411 min
Thinking Out Loud with Sheldon MacLeodHealth care heroes hold strike voteOn the same day Premier Iain Rankin was thanking Nova Scotia health care workers for helping administer 1-million vaccine doses, workers are voting to strike. To find out what is happening with the relationship with the Liberal government and these employees, I spoke with two guests. The first is NDP Leader Gary Burrill. The second is NSGEU President Jason MacLean.
2021-07-0516 min
NSGEU Union MattersCelebrating Allied Healthcare Professionals Week!The first week of November is Allied Healthcare Professionals Week! Our host, Holly Fraughton, sits down and chats with a Medical Laboratory Technologist, Conor Porter, about the work he does behind the scenes within our health care system.
2020-11-0321 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Reflecting on 2019, The Year Ahead With NSGEU President Jason MacLeanUnion Matters' host Holly Fraughton and President Jason MacLean take a journey through some of the highlights of 2019 and into some of the challenges our members are currently facing and what lies ahead for 2020.
The range of topics includes: our new NSGEU Educational Program; Health Care bargaining; OHS issues for our Corrections Officers and members working at the East Coast Forensic Hospital; our fight to win paid domestic violence leave; NSGEU Committees and campaigns, such as Sock it to Poverty, the Lodge that Gives, Cancer Care Fund, and Period Poverty; our current campaign against P3 hospital builds; changes at the...
2020-01-081h 06
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: The Pink Patch Project with Guest Kevin HurstUnion Matters host Deedee Slye interviews Deputy Sheriff Kevin Hurst about the Pink Patch Project which brings awareness to and support for Breast Cancer. In the podcast, Kevin discusses why they embarked on this initiative (the first in Canada) and how he created our distinctly Nova Scotia pink patch.. If you are interested in purchasing a patch in support of breast cancer awareness, email Kevin at kevin.hurst@novascotia.ca.
2019-12-1608 min
NSGEU Union MattersNUPGE President Larry Brown Discusses Canadian Labour IssuesThe President of the National Union of Public & General Employees (NUPGE) sits down with host Mary Otto to discuss his personal history with the organization and the labour movement; issues facing unions today, and much more!
2019-11-2624 min
NSGEU Union MattersAllied Healthcare Professionals Week PodcastHost Mary Otto discusses NSGEU's resolution for a week that recognizes the important work Healthcare Professionals do for Nova Scotians. Mary's guests are fellow health care workers, Peter Perry, an Anaesthesia Assistant in Local 122 and Laura MacMillan, an Orthopaedic Technician in Local 100. Join in to hear why we need an Allied Healthcare Professionals Week!
2019-10-3120 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Office of Workplace Mental HealthHost Deedee Slye interviews Patricia Wall - a navigator for the recently created Office of Workplace Mental Health (OWMH), an initiative of the NSGEU and the Public Service Commission (PSC). The Office provides support to NSGEU members who work for the PSC, Tourism Nova Scotia, or Nova Scotia Pension Corporation, all members who belong to the Nova Scotia Public Service LTD plan.
Navigators help employees identify and connect with the mental health resources and services they need in a confidential manner. They also help leaders and managers create safe and supportive workplaces.
The Office’s three mental health navigators are lo...
2019-07-0838 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: MayworksHost Mary Otto, interviews Sébastien Labelle about the history and activities of Mayworks in Halifax. Listen in and find out more about this festival of workers art. Mayworks happens annually, on and around May 1st.
Mary Otto is a proud member of Local 43, Canadian Blood Services and on the NSGEU Political Action Committee.
2019-05-0933 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: What are Labour Councils?This week, host Mary Otto sit down with the President of the Halifax-Dartmouth and District Labour Council (HDDLC), Suzanne MacNeil about what Labour Councils do, and the role they play in the overall labour movement.
2019-04-2327 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: What's it like being on a bargaining committee?This week, we sit down with Tanya Hersey, member of Local 423 working in administrative support at the IWK; Paul Hagen, Board member and chair of the civil service PR bargaining group; and Donna MacGregor, President of Local 71C, Cignecto Regional Centre for Education, to talk about what it's like to sit on a bargaining committee.
2019-04-0828 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Political Action CommitteeThis week, host Mary Otto sits down with fellow members of the NSGEU's Political Action Committee (PAC), to find out what it's like to get involved in politics and the union!
Featured on this episode are Hugh Gillis (a Correctional Officer from Local 480); Robert MacDonald (an Operational Support worker at SMU from Local 170); Suzanne MacIntyre (a Registered Nurse and member of Local 101); and Lindsay MacKenzie (a Client Service Assistant with the VON, Local 29).
They talk about the highlights of the work they've done over the past three years, and how their work is affected by the resolutions that come out...
2019-03-1815 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Executive ElectionsNSGEU's Triennial Convention is right around the corner: it's being held from May 8 to 11 in Halifax. If you are a member and are interested in running for an Executive position, please take a listen and find out how to put your name forward!
2019-03-0506 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Child Welfare On The BrinkThis week, we sit down with NSGEU President Jason MacLean and Alec Stratford, Executive Director of the Nova Scotia College of Social Work, to discuss an important new campaign aimed to support child welfare services in Nova Scotia.
As a result of recent changes to the Nova Scotia Children and Family Services Act, child protection workers' scope of practice has been increased, but no additional resources have been allocated to support an already overburdened system. We discuss what needs to happen, and what Nova Scotians can do to help!
2019-02-0533 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Blue Monday 😰This week, guest host Mary Otto sits down with Tracey Fisk, a nurse with 29 years of experience in the health care system, to talk about Blue Monday. The third Monday in January marks the most depressing day of the year for many people.
2019-01-2128 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Weather and WorkUnion Matters host Deedee Slye talks to Lynette Johnson, Employee Relations Officer for Health Care, and Colin Sutton, President of Local 79, St. Mary's University, about storm closure policies, collective agreement rights and employer expectations during a weather event. So if the weather outside is frightful, your workplace is closed and you have not been reassigned, sit back, relax, and listen in.
2019-01-1419 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Conversation about Convention ResolutionsIn this Episode, host Deedee Slye talks to President Jason MacLean, Chair of the Resolutions Committee, Paul Hagan, and Chair of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee, Colin Sutton, about resolutions. They share their favorite resolutions, current deadlines and announce their resolution writing provincial tour. These resolution experts are where it's at! Whereas resolutions set the direction of the union for the next three years; and whereas they are an important part of our democratic process; therefore be it resolved that you listen in. Happy resolution writing!!
2019-01-0729 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Happy New Year!This week, we sit down with NSGEU President Jason MacLean to talk about some of the highlights from 2018, and what union members have to look forward to in the New Year!
2018-12-3117 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: All you wanted to know about Convention but were afraid to askUnion Matters host Deedee Slye spends some time with President Jason MacLean and Convention professionals Diane Briggs and Lisa Bouchard discussing Convention. Includes deadlines, tips and information that will help you understand what Convention is all about.
2018-12-2429 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: PharmacareUnion Matters Guest Host Mary Otto (President of Local 43 and member of the NSGEU Political Action Committee) interviews Bill Swan, creator of Faces of Pharmacare, about Pharmacare in Canada. A positive and inspiring conversation ensues about what it takes to keep advocating for public health care. Listen in!
2018-12-1842 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Giving BackOn this week's episode of Union Matters, we talk to NSGEU's First Vice President, Sandra Mullen; Secretary-Treasurer, Darren McPhee; and Board member & Chair of the Human Rights Committee, Melissa Marsman, about the ways the NSGEU gives back.
For a transcript of the podcast, please visit http://nsgeu.ca/union-matters-giving-back/
2018-12-1017 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Dignity.PeriodGuest host Mary Otto, President of Local 43, and member of NSGEU's Political Action Committee interviews Erin Casey and Joan Helson about a campaign called Dignity. Period.
From a blog written by Erin Casey:
"One-third of Canadian women under the age of 25 say they’ve struggled to afford menstrual products (Plan International Canada, 2018). One in seven girls in Canada have either left school early or missed school entirely because they don’t have what they need to manage their periods (Always Confidence and Puberty Study, 2018).
Nova Scotia is the province with the highest rate of food insecurity in Canada. When people with...
2018-12-0317 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Empowering NSGEU WomenIn this Episode #6, guest host Mary Otto, President of NSGEU Local 43, speaks with NSGEU's 1st VP Sandra Mullen about the NSGEU Women's Conference, empowerment, and the 2019 Convention.
Note: for our deaf members, please see http://nsgeu.ca/union-matters-podcast-6-empowering-nsgeu-women/ for a full transcript of this week's podcast.
2018-11-2624 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Weed & The WorkplaceOn this week's episode of Union Matters, we sit down with labour lawyer Jill Houlihan to talk about a hot topic: weed and the workplace.
Since the legalization of cannabis four short weeks ago, many employees (and employers) have been left with unanswered questions about how use of the substance - recreationally and medicinally - may affect their employment. We try to answer a few of these questions with Jill this week!
2018-11-1920 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Protecting The Public Blood SupplyThis week, we have a special guest host of Union Matters!
Mary Otto is President of NSGEU Local 43, which represents lab workers of Canadian Blood Services in Nova Scotia. Mary also sits on NSGEU’s Political Action Committee and traveled to Ottawa at the end of October as part of a lobby effort with Bloodwatch and the Canadian Federation of Nurses Union in support of Senate Bill 252, the Voluntary Blood Donations Act (An Act to amend the Blood Regulations). The Bill has just passed its second reading and will be going to Committee.
The legislation would ban the collection of pa...
2018-11-1332 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnionMatters: Crisis in HealthcareIn NSGEU's third podcast, we discuss the health care crisis and the threat of privatization in Nova Scotia with guests Chris Parsons (NS Health Care Coalition) and Gordon MacDonald (Capers 4 Healthcare).
2018-11-0548 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: Domestic Violence LeaveOn this week’s podcast, we speak with NSGEU Employee Relations Officer Gina Boyd about the issue of domestic violence leave in Nova Scotia.
This spring, the provincial government introduced legislation that includes a provision for up to ten intermittent days of unpaid leave to allow victims of domestic abuse to seek out services and supports. However, in other countries, like New Zealand and the Philippines, and even other parts of Canada, domestic violence survivors are granted paid days off. Those paid days off can make a big difference to people living in abusive situations.
So while, Nova Scotia’s prop...
2018-10-2912 min
NSGEU Union MattersUnion Matters: NSGEU EducationIn NSGEU's inaugural podcast, we discuss union education: the opportunities that are available to our members and the value of our educational courses.
2018-10-2205 min